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***NO SPOILERS***

(Full disclosure: book abandoned at page 255, out of 579 pages)

If this were more the mystery described in the summary and less a romance, A Discovery of Witches would have been better—and blessedly shorter. The story starts on the right track, with the intriguing mystery taking center stage, but veers off track when the vampire love interest enters the scene early on. Author Deborah Harkness prioritized the detailing of witch Diana and vampire Matthew's various dates, from yoga excursions to breakfast at a favorite restaurant. It's corny but also bizarre given that as these two are mooning over each other, Diana is in grave danger. Harkness rationed the mystery and suspense so stingily that I was never hooked.

The book has similarities to [book:Twilight|41865] that are close enough to upset Stephenie Meyer. Two early scenes are nearly replicas, and character portrayals promote the same unhealthy romantic model: a vampire with off-putting possessive tendencies and a love interest who yields to him. In total it's different enough from Twilight to not be a retelling, but it would have been wise for Harkness to change at least the early scenes so her book doesn't immediately give the impression of having lifted from Meyer's work.

Despite being about witches, vampires, and daemons, A Discovery of Witches lacks a spooky and magical feel. I picked this up thinking it would be an enjoyable trilogy to read for the upcoming Halloween season, but it's better suited to Valentine's day.

I gave up at the story's most dull scene up to that point, a revelatory moment when I realized that getting to the heart of the mystery wasn't going to happen any time soon: a horse-riding date. This is complete with details about boots, saddles, reins, the horses themselves, the meanings of the horses' names, and a racing scene between Matthew and Diana.

A Discovery of Witches looks like a quality paranormal story, but stripped of its sophisticated Oxford University setting and educated main characters, it's just another paranormal romance. I'll give Harkness credit for solid writing and charismatic characters. The mystery that's here, though, lacks enough urgency to grip, and it's tucked into a bloated story with so many unnecessary scenes. No wonder it's so long. ( )

Redeemed only through a nice use of language.

Initial assessment: Harlequin romance meets Twilight. Most irritating similarity to Twilight: they discover all sorts of ways to be physically intimate without intercourse. Annoyingest magical quality: a witch that claims she doesn't want to use her powers and has spent yeeeears attempting to ignore her powers, "slips up" and uses said powers to get a book that's out of reach on a high shelf. Yes, that's how strong her moral determination is--looking for a ladder trumps principle.

Stereotypes annoy me, and A Discovery of Witches is full of romantic stereotypes. If it starts to feel like you've read it before, it's because you have. Bookish orphaned heroine meets dark, brooding man. Initially annoyed by his arrogance, she segues quickly into accommodation, and then lust. Brooding man finds his thoughts preoccupied with her quiet beauty, with something noticeably sparkly about her, and briefly runs away from their building relationship to come to terms with his past. Heroine and hero reunite, enjoy brief interlude, attend the most snort-worthy yoga class ever described in literature, then unite to defend their love against others. We are supposed to rave because it's a vampire and witch, and somehow that makes it all different. Except more than being vampire and witch, they are really doctor-geneticist and historian. I ended up skimming last half of the book just because my book OCD can't stand not knowing the end to a plot.

My favorite review on this was done by Amanda:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/148683193?book_show_action=false&page=... ( )

This book is too long.... ( )

I am 10 hours into this book (not even half way!) and the author has barely advanced the main plotline at all. I don't have the time or patience for vampire romance. ( )